BULLET 3503
Royal Enfield Launches Motorcycle With Remarkable Historical Link to Australia
From its birth in the West Midlands of England, to soldiers patrolling the tough terrain of Kashmir to the first woman to cross the Nullarbor Plain on a motorbike over 70 years ago, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is steeped in history. Now, the iconic motorcycle brand is proud to launch the latest incarnation of what is the longest-running motorcycle model in continuous production anywhere in the world.
A New Chapter in a Storied History
The new Bullet 350 combines more than 90 years of heritage with the build quality, reliability, and creature comforts of today. With its majestic stance, an all-metal build, fun torquey engine, and signature “thump,” the Bullet 350 is an exciting ride into a new epoch.
Commenting on the launch of Bullet 350 in Australia, Anuj Dua, Business Head for Asia Pacific markets at Royal Enfield, said, “To me, the Bullet has been an undeniable symbol of resilient engineering and aesthetics. It has endured war and peace with unflinching reliability and has been an ally for over 90 years to the bravest of the brave. Pinstriped and handcrafted by three generations of artisans, the Bullet has retained its regal appeal without surrendering to fads and whims. The uncluttered simplicity of its form is a sharp contrast to its sturdy dependability, its mettle, and character. We have purposefully endeavored to retain the essence of the legacy of the Royal Enfield Bullet as it readies to transition to a new form and avatar and steadfastly rides on to a century and beyond. I am confident that riders in Australia will be proud to own a piece of history. We are confident that this new Bullet will further add to the growing Royal Enfield community of riders.”
Project Origin: Bridging Past and Future
And in keeping with the theme of bringing the old and new together, the launch of the Bullet 350 in Australia will feature an exact replica of Royal Enfield’s first ever ‘motor-bicycle’ that came out in 1901. Dubbed Project Origin, the ‘motor-bicycle’ will be unveiled at the Australian launch of the Bullet 350 at Studley Park Boathouse on Thursday 8 February.
Royal Enfield Historian Gordon May said riding the very first Royal Enfield was nothing like riding the motorcycles of today. “If you look where the engine is, its center of gravity is in totally the wrong place, making the ‘motor-bicycle’ a challenge to ride. It had no throttle, no clutch, and only one gear so it goes full speed and full power the whole time. Imagine what that was like back in 1901 when you’d never ridden a motor-bicycle before and you go off down the road at 30 miles an hour with only bicycle brakes,” said May.
Project Origin was re-created by a dedicated team of enthusiasts who delved back through a century of books, drawings, and technical documents to bring a pioneering era of two-wheeled motorized transportation back to life. “Royal Enfield is an iconic name in motorcycle history, and has probably carried more riders over more miles than any other brand. It provided the Allies with motorcycle sidecar ambulances to transport wounded soldiers in the First World War and enabled the British to parachute motorcycles onto the battlefields in the Second World War,” May added.
“And in a lovely connection to Australia, the Bullet was the first motorcycle to be ridden solo by a woman across Australia, which is in itself a remarkable story of courage and perseverance.” On the 26th December 1950, 22-year-old Australian woman Winifred Wells rode a 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet from Perth to Sydney and back, covering over 5,500 miles in just 21 days. She was the first woman to ride solo across Australia. Two years later, accompanied by her father, Winifred circumnavigated Australia covering almost 10,000 miles in 65 days, battling temperatures of up to 44°C.
If ever there was a motorcycle that has stood the test of time, it is the legendary Royal Enfield Bullet. When unveiled in 1932, its advanced features were at the forefront of motorcycle design. Radically updated in 1948, its groundbreaking swinging arm rear suspension took the motorcycling world by storm and all other motorcycle manufacturers quickly followed suit. Its prowess over the toughest terrain, success in service with the Indian armed forces, and subsequent move to production in Madras in 1955, kickstarted its stellar rise to become, for decades, the king of India’s roads. Its 2010 reinvention, with Royal Enfield’s seminal UCE engine, ensured it continued to be aspirational, as both a motorcycling and a cultural icon.
“The Bullet is a beloved badge of honor and identity for many riders and automotive enthusiasts in India and across the world,” said Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director – Eicher Motors Ltd. “Today, as the Bullet rides ahead in a new avatar, we are truly honored to be able to play a key role in taking its legacy forward.”
The new Bullet 350 is available in dealerships across the country and comes in two variants, the Bullet Standard $7890 and $8050 rideaway.
To view the new Bullet 350 on the Royal Enfield website click here
About New The Royal Enfield Bullet 350
The New Bullet 350 is powered by the modern, globally acclaimed 349cc air-oil cooled single cylinder engine that also powers the Meteor, Classic and Hunter. Fuel-injected, it produces 20.2 bhp at 6100 rpm and 27 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm resulting in strong, low-end grunt, super smooth linear power delivery and a ride that’s both refined and invigorating. With a primary balancer shaft to cut down vibrations, it feels responsive and refined while its gear shifting is crisp and smooth thanks to an optimised 5-speed gearbox, ensuring a superlative ride experience.
The chassis is designed for improved handling and manoeuvrability. Firmer than on previous Bullets, it encourages confidence at higher cornering speeds and feels planted and stable on straight roads. This is enhanced by large diameter 41mm front forks and wider section tyres, a 100/90 -19 at the front and 120/80 -18 at the rear as compared to past Bullet versions. A 300mm disc brake is fitted at the front and the rear wears 270mm disc or drum brake options.
Comfort is ensured by a new take on the single bench seat which, along with redesigned mudguards, contributes to the subtly evolved styling, a marked improvement in the proportion, stance and aesthetic balance of the motorcycle.
Built with a distinctive 13-litre, teardrop tank and the traditional Royal Enfield casquette that houses a new headlamp along with the signature ‘tiger eyes’ – pilot lights – an enduring feature on Royal Enfield motorcycles since 1954. More contemporary touches include the new digi-analog instrument cluster that houses an LCD information panel and a USB charging point mounted below the handlebar that is standard across variants. The
rider’s controls have received special focus to ensure that the design, fit and finish are top class with beautifully styled rotary switch cubes that combine ease of use with eye-catching retro appeal.
The 2023 Bullet 350 will be supported by an ecosystem of 37 Genuine Motorcycle Accessories, including nine designed and developed specifically for the Bullet. These include comfortable touring and low-rise seats and touring handlebars. There is also a selection of quality riding gear, including helmets and apparel with detailing that echo the Bullet’s legendary pinstriping.
About Royal Enfield:
The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield has created beautifully crafted motorcycles since 1901. From its British roots, a manufacturing plant was established in Madras in 1955, a foothold from which Royal Enfield spearheaded the growth of India’s mid-sized two-wheeler segment. Royal Enfields are engaging, uncomplicated, accessible, and fun to ride; a vehicle for exploration and self-expression. It’s an approach the brand calls Pure Motorcycling.
Royal Enfield’s premium line-up includes the stylish Hunter 350, the timeless Classic 350, the Meteor 350 cruiser, the 650 parallel twin motorcycles – New Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. The adventure motorcycles – Himalayan adventure tourer and the Scram 411 ADV Crossover, and the iconic Bullet 350. Riders and a passionate community are fostered with a rich profusion of events at a local, regional and international level. Most notable are Rider Mania, an annual gathering of thousands of Royal Enfield enthusiasts in Goa, and Himalayan Odyssey, a yearly pilgrimage over some of the toughest terrain and highest mountain passes.
A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield operates through more than 2,050 stores across all major cities and towns in India and through nearly 1,150+ touchpoints in more than 60 countries around the globe. Royal Enfield also has two world-class technical centres, in Bruntingthorpe, UK, and in Chennai, India. The company’s two state-of-the-art production facilities are located at Oragadam and Vallam Vadagal, near Chennai. Across the world, Royal Enfield has five modern CKD assembly facilities in Nepal, Brazil, Thailand, Argentina and Colombia. With more than 35% CAGR for the last 5 years, Royal Enfield is the leader in the global mid-size motorcycle market.
Since Royal Enfield’s inception in Australia,, we have developed a loyal rider community of over 12,000 riders and over 55 passionate dealer partners. This along with the Apparel & Genuine Motorcycle Accessories inspired by our motorcycles ensure that the rider looks the part and is ready to take on the road. Royal Enfield has emerged as the top three motorcycle brands in the mid-size segment in Australia. The Bullet 350 has been an absolutely iconic companion for motorcyclists in Australia. The Bullet 350 isn’t just a machine. It’s a legend with a legacy of over nine decades. It has carried generation after generation of riders to the most important moments of their lives.
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Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
